RESUMEN
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the experiences of patients who have failed to maintain weight loss following the insertion of a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) for the treatment of morbid obesity. BACKGROUND: Obesity is a global health problem resulting in physical, psychological and economic problems and presenting challenges for health services. Surgical intervention is an increasingly common approach to treatment; however, some patients do not sustain their weight loss following bariatric surgery and little is known about people's longer-term experiences following LAGB insertion. DESIGN: A narrative-based qualitative interview study. METHODS: A purposive sample of ten participants who had undergone LAGB insertion for morbid obesity was recruited. Semistructured interviews were conducted in 2014. Thematic analysis identified codes and emerging themes common to the participants' experiences. FINDINGS: Three major themes emerged: living with the side effects, regret and lack of support. These reflect the difficulties participants experienced and provide new insights on why weight loss is not sustained after 2 years following surgery. CONCLUSION: Participants reported that the surgery had a detrimental effect on their lives and some regretted having the band inserted. These findings identify areas of care that need to be addressed if patients undergoing LAGB are to experience its potential benefits and indicate that further research is needed into the long-term effects of gastric band insertion. Patients need to be better informed about the consequences of bariatric surgery if it is to have a lasting impact on their weight reduction. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Patients require comprehensive information and support before and after LAGB insertion to develop strategies which will help them lose weight and sustain it over the longer term. Clinicians need to be sensitive to patients' needs when weight loss plateaus or weight is regained and intensify support during these periods.